Every item of a firefighter’s firefighting kit is designed to help him do his job the right way at the right time. A firefighter has to be equipped with the right tools and equipment at all times to be ready when the occasion arises that you need their services.
Fire fighting equipment is classified into many types. These include alarms, breathing apparatus, detectors, fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, foam equipment, HazMat Decontamination, passive fire protection, personal protective equipment, fire pumps, rescue tools, thermal imaging cameras, training of firefighters and fire fighting vehicles.
In rescue operations, you need a self-contained breathing apparatus and a breathing air compressor to supply air to fire victims. An apparatus has a high-pressure tank, a regulator, and a face or mouth mask connected to an inhalation device. Another important piece of firefighting equipment is a HazMat decontamination kit that is used to decontaminate victims of hazardous materials and toxic substances.
A very essential firefighting equipment is the Personal Protective Equipment which refers to the uniform, helmets, masks, boots, other clothing and various tools and gadgets. When it comes to protective clothing for firefighters, you’ll be happy to know that it has continued to evolve since those historic times when firefighters wore street clothes and wool/leather coats with their company logos to fight fires.
Studies show that lack of comfort is a factor for many sloppy performances due to the heavy, sweaty, hot and uncomfortable clothes people wear, leaving them vulnerable to mistakes that can be disastrous. Addressing this issue, protective clothing manufacturers have developed revolutionary lines of garments that integrate flame retardant materials such as Kaviar and Nomex. Some new fabrics are not only flame retardant, but also control sweat and odor. They are light, dry and comfortable to wear all day. The gear is now available in fabrics with a base layer and next to the skin of protective materials that won’t burn, drip, or melt when exposed to flame. The fabric reduces any risk of steam burns. On top of that, shirts, pants, and overalls made from the same type of fabric also provide added dryness and comfort.
Some materials manage moisture due to their wicking properties. The fabric dries very quickly and regulates body temperature. Another important feature is its antimicrobial properties that prevent the growth of bacterial odors, allowing users to stay fresh. What you will also appreciate is its comfortable design feature that minimizes skin chafing and abrasion due to its flat, dropped shoulder seams.
With flame resistant clothing designed to provide a wide range of layering options and multi-level protection, firefighters can enjoy emotional feelings of comfort, safety and peace of mind. In light of technological advances, the revolutionary new line of fire-fighting personal protective equipment clothing is a welcome development.